Sigma 500 4.5 problem

[woodlark]

Hi, my name is Dave, I'm in Stockport. I have a similar combo to you, a (new this year) Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon D200 and D90 and (modified)Nikon 1.4 TC (also new this year) and Sigma 1.4 TC.
I have tried various combinations of D90 and D200 (and a friends D300) and not obtained AF with a 1.4 TC yet. I've also tried the pin taping tricks on the TC's, without success.
Annoying thing is, I am still sure there must be someting I am missing, when I read of experiences like yours where you apparently get AF, brilliantly, with a 1.4 TC!
Can you suggest anything I should be trying, before I have to give up and spend a lot more money!!
Kind Regards, David

[momji1971]

Hi Dave,

I also went the sigma 1.4 taping route but didn't really have any success.

You have three options.

1. Nikon 1.4 tc. Best quality.

2. A cheap non-reporting tc. It doesn't communicate with the lens, so af works. Quality may or may not be great.

3. I have a new tamron converter that does report the correct stop (6.3) but still shoots with AF. If you need the exact model i can post here with it later. It's the latest model, around £180 I think, so not cheap but works a treat.

good luck and looking forward to your images being posted here.

regards.
Stu.

[woodlark]

Hello Stu, thanks for your kind reply. Believe it or not I have 3 1.4 tc's, the Sigma 1.4, the latest Nikon TC-14E and a Kenko Pro 300. I have tried various combos of tc and camera, in various light conditions with either no af or a lot of 'hunting'.

I am beginning to think there is something wrong with the lens, it is still under guarantee but I dont want to send it away until I am sure.

We are not far apart geographically, would it be possible for me to come to Warrington some time and I could possibly eliminate the lens being at fault by trying it with your camera/TC??

I have read of various 'cures' such as get an older camera like the D70, make sure you connect the TC to the lens before connecting to the camera, taping various pins but nothing seems to work. Manual focusing is ok with fairly static subjects such as kingfishers or herons but very difficult with small, active birds.

Again, thanks for your help and hope to see you sometime. Dave.

[Jonsfotos]

Hi Dave,

Reference the TC14E Nikon Converter.That particular one is only for use with Nikon AFS and AFI Lenses.AFS Lenses are electronically and mechanically different from non AFS Lenses.Nikon made this model(TC14E) so they will not mount on on non AFS Lenses.While it is technically possible to modify the teleconverter so it will mount on a non AFS Lens, it does void the warranty and more likely than not, give you poor results.Personally, i would not try the TC14E on your Sigma.I have the TC14E11 and TC17E11 Converters but i only use them on my 300mm 2.8 AFS and they work brilliantly.They have also worked well on my 300 F4 AFS and 70/200 F2.8 VR Lenses.Would have thought the Sigma and Kenko Pro models would have worked with your lens but as you know,with any lens, once you get above F5.6, you may get AF and "Hunting" issues depending on light levels etc.
Good luck Dave and i hope everything works out for you.

Jon

[momji1971]

Hi Dave,

Was the lens from New or second hand?

Sounds like you have a Sigma story coming on there! Heard from a lot of people who use a modified Nikon and they do work! Just a bit scary modifying one thinking how much they cost!

The Sigma will definately NOT work, sigma designed it not to with that lens. They also state this in their info.

If you can wait 'til New Year we'll meet up and I'll bring my converter, its not the standard 300 pro version. My parents live in Manchester so I'll come over and we can meet somewhere in the middle.

My lens is going to sigma in the New Year for a service. So gonna get them to check it over for the flare/focus issue whilst it's in as well as a few other things. It's just not quite right? Had a chat with Mrs Hill and even though I like the lens, by the end of 2010, I will own a Nikon 500.

Will be in touch in the New Year Dave.

cheers.
Stu.

[woodlark]

Thanks Stu and Jon for your replies. Stu, the lens was bought new. So was the TC 14E, which I modifed myself, it still works ok on a Nikon 300 f4 but won't AF on the Sigma 500. (well, only with some 'manual assistance').
I would be very pleased to meet somewhere, Stu, maybe you can put me on the right track conveter wise. I find the 700mm focal length very useful for birds. Phone no. is 0161 483 9175
So, a very happy New Year to you both!

[Stute]

The Sigma 500 has a max aperture of f4.5 and this is the cause of the problem. It also makes the lens a little bit cheaper to manufacture since the elements are smaller than OEM f4 lenses.

Adding a 1.4x convertor decreases the aperture to <f5.6 and at this point the autofocus will not work.

Tele Converter matching list

The link above will take you to a chart that shows compatability of lenses, bodies and convertors.

If anyone were to ask me should they buy a Sigma 500 I would say yes if it was the best they could afford, I owned one for a number of years and was impressed with it (and Sigma's service) from the outset.

I still own one Sigma lens the 300 - 800 f5.6 which I will often take in peference to 600 f4 or 200 - 400 f4. Optically it is excellent and the flexibility it provides in framing shots is without parallel. But here I digress.

J

[momji1971]

Hi J,

I have a sigma and it does autofocus with a 1.4x. Nikon cameras will attempt to autofocus at any F stop.

On canon any 1d series camera will autofocus to f8.

During a normal day it will autofocus fine, obviously as the gloom sets in af slows.

There are a few shooters I know (canon weirdo's!) that use 2x on their 500's and produce amazing results and using AF.

I think the figures were a slowing of AF by approx 20% with a 1.4x. I've shot herons/egrets in flight using the combi.

reards.
Stu.

[Stute]

I use Nikon and am aware that they will provide autofocus at all f stops, but only if lens (and TC) match camera

The link I provided shows Sigma's own data showing that they do not design lenses and TCs to work in all combinations

The link below

ftp://EFpferfG:dZMhfpUo@ftp.nikon-eu..._lenses-En.pdf

Is from Nikon UK it clearly shows that TC's are not all suited to all lenses.

I am also aware that taping contacts (which can void warranty) can be used to allow some OEM kit to work hence 2x on 500mm f4 pictures have been taken by Canon users

[momji1971]

not wanting to come across as teaching granny to suck eggs but photogs that usually shoot birds routinely use 1.4x and 2x conv on their 1d series/canon 500's and no tape around?. Indeed, its well known that the canon 2x TC is way better than the old Nikon version for IQ.

In previous post above:
"Sigma TC will definately NOT work, sigma designed it not to with that lens. They also state this in their info"

Which is why I said to the the OP I'd meet up with him and let him use my third party version which works without tape.

Best not to go off data sheets and speak to the guys in the field for the best advice.

If you google search you'll find alot of sigma 500 users manage to use the lens with a nikon 1.4x tc modified with little impact in IQ.

Not wanting to be confrontational, just wanting to give the OP the most accurate and best help possible.

kind regards.
Stu.